Congress renews Hudson River Valley National Heritage designation

The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area federal designation is expected to be reauthorized through 2015 as part of an omnibus appropriations bill that passed Congress this week and is set to be signed by the president, according to the office of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY.

The designation enables access federal funding for projects in the area. The heritage area extends from Saratoga to Westchester counties and links over 100 individual sites that promote tourism and recreation in the region, her office said.

"The extension of this funding is an important step to continue garnering the national recognition the region deserves," said Gillibrand.